England was where the current concept of intellectual property was initially invented in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Even though the term “intellectual property” was frequently used in the late nineteenth century, it was not until the late twentieth century that it became broadly accepted in most of the world’s legal systems.
Intellectual Property Law – what is it about?
The term “intellectual property” (IP) refers to works of art and literature, inventions, designs, trademarks, trade names, and symbols used in business.
Among the legal IP protections that enable people to make money or become well-known from their discoveries are patents, copyrights, and registrations. By finding the right balance between innovators’ objectives and the greater public welfare, the IP program allows imagination and innovation to flourish.
Intellectual Property Lawyers – what do they do?
In either contentious IP or non-contentious IP, attorneys often specialize. Non-contentious work includes examining and registering a client’s rights, such as patents and trademarks, and creating business contracts to provide licenses allowing the use of those rights by other parties.
Contentious work is necessary when a client’s rights have been violated or exploited, such as when counterfeit goods are being sold, or music is being utilized unlawfully.
The primary purpose of intellectual property law
The primary goal of intellectual property regulations is to promote the growth of various literary and artistic works. To do this, the law frequently allows individuals and organizations intellectual rights to the expertise and creative goods they produce over a certain period.
Enabling people to earn from the learning and cultural products they make and empowering them to protect their ideas and stop piracy offers an economic incentive for their growth. These monetary benefits are expected to promote innovation and enhance technology in nations, depending on the level of protection provided to scientists.
Types of intellectual property:
As a broad category of intellectual property law, it applies to patents, trademarks, trade names, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, and geographical indications.
Patents, copyright, industrial design rights, trademarks, plant variety rights, trade dress, geographical indications, and in certain jurisdictions, trade secrets are examples of intellectual property rights.
There are other more specialized or derivative types of sui generis exclusive rights, such as database rights, supplemental protection certificates for medicinal items (after the expiration of a patent covering them), and circuit design rights in European law (referred to as mask work rights in the US).
● Copyright:
The legal word “copyright” refers to the privileged rights of authors and artists over their creative works. The works protected by copyright include computer programs, NFTs, databases, ads, maps, technical drawings, books, music, paintings, sculptures, and films.
● Patent:
An innovation is awarded an exclusive privilege known as a patent. In general, a patent gives the owner the power to decide whether or how other people may use an innovation. In exchange for this benefit, the patent holder publishes technical details regarding the invention in the patent document.
● Trademarks:
A trademark is a symbol that may be used to separate the products or services of one company from those of other companies. Brands have existed since the dawn when craftspeople would sign or “mark” their creations.
● Industrial Design:
An object’s decorative or aesthetic component is represented by its industrial design. A design can include two-dimensional elements like patterns, lines, or colors, as well as three-dimensional aspects like the shape or surface of an object.
● Geographical indications:
Labels employed on developments having a precise geographical source and characteristics, a standing, or attributes inherently linked to that place of genesis are known as geographical indications and appellations of origin. A geographical marker will often list the country that produced the item.
Trade secrets are property rights on proprietary knowledge that may be licensed or sold. It is considered an unfair activity and a breach of trade secret protection when others utilize, obtain, or disclose such secret information without authorization that is inconsistent with honest business practices.
That’s where IP lawyers come into play. If your business requires legal support with regard to intellectual property law, it is always a good idea to speak with a legal specialist in this field as the law can be very complex.
We have therefore researched the most highly rated IP lawyers in the UK for you to compare and choose.
Best 10 IP Lawyers in the UK and their Services
1. Paddle Cocks: (Law Firm)
IP Expert: Darren Clagg
Address: Truro, Cornwall, UK
Contact details: 0333 344 9429
Google Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars, 23 reviews
Website: https://www.paddleandcocks.co.uk/
Darren has over 20 years of experience as a property litigator focused on resolving business and residential property disputes. Along with mediation, expert decisions, and arbitration, Darren has a plethora of expertise in these areas.
Darren was recruited by the prestigious Birmingham firm Martineau Johnson (now Shakespeare Martineau) after completing his training and qualifying as a commercial litigation attorney there. He was offered the opportunity to focus only on contentious property work.
Area of Expertise: Patents, Intellectual Property (IP) protection, and Litigation.
2. Thorntons: (IP Firm)
IP Expert: Alistair Lang
Address: St. Andrews, Edinburgh, UK
Contact details: 03330 166581
Trustpilot Rating: 4.9 Out of 5 Star, 1991 reviews
Website: www.thorntons-law.co.uk/
Alistair has worked as a specialized business legal counsel for over 15 years. Alistair specializes in IP licensing and collaborates with several businesses that have extensive global IP portfolios and multinational licensing structures. Regarding this line of work, Alistair frequently collaborates with clients to safeguard and uphold their intellectual property rights in foreign countries.
Area of Expertise: Private Equity, Commercial Negotiation Strategies, and Intellectual Property (IP) protection and Commercialization Strategies.
3. Albright IP: (Law Firm)
IP Expert: Robert Games
Address: Cheltenham, England, UK
Contact details: +44 (0)1242 691801
Google Rating: 4.9 Out of 5 Stars, 88 reviews
Website: www.albright-ip.co.uk/
Robert is the founder and managing director of Albright IP, the director of DUKU Product Design, and a Chartered Patent Attorney. Outside the age of 16, he created the Kew Mural, shown at the Victoria Gate of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
His early employment was in cabinet manufacturing. He began his career in intellectual property (IP) after earning a degree in mechanical engineering by working as a Patent Examiner at the UK IPO. He founded Albright IP in 2007 after becoming licensed as a patent attorney in 1999. One of the UK’s small practices with the quickest growth rates, the company specializes in helping customers from start-ups to about $5 million in annual revenue.
Area of Expertise: Patents, Trademarks, Intellectual Property (IP) protection, and Litigation.
4. Sonder & Clay: (IP Firm)
IP Expert: Andrew Clay
Address: 16 Lascelles Rd, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK
Contact details: 07711 107911
Google Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars, 16 reviews
Website: www.sonderandclay.com
With more than 30 years of expertise, Andrew is well-versed in handling IP disputes and assisting businesses in using their IP rights. He has litigated cases involving all varieties of intellectual property rights and mediated hundreds of IP licenses and agreements throughout his profession.
Before heading up the UK & International IP Group at another illustrious business, Andrew received legal training at a premier international law firm. He gives several seminars on IP rights and serves as the deputy chairman of the Copyright Tribunal. He is also the editor of the CIPA Guide to the Patents Act.
Area of Expertise: IP Disputes, IP Exploitation, IP Infringement, IP Licensing.
5. Humphreys & Co.: (Solicitors)
IP Expert Team: Intellectual property
Address: 14 King Street, Leeds, UK
Contact Details: +44 (0)117 929 2662
Trustpilot Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Star, 37 reviews
Website: www.humphreys.co.uk
Since the first issues of “Chambers’ Guide to the Legal Profession” and “The Legal 500,” two reputable, independent client-reference directories, in the middle of the 1980s, Humphreys & Co. has consistently been included among the top UK law firms.
They are renowned for their extensive expertise and experience in the prosecution, licensing, and litigation of trademarks, designs, and other types of protected intellectual property. Advises major and minor enterprises in the fashion, electronics, beverage, and financial services industries. Recommend registry processes and conflicts involving other countries.
Area of Expertise: Copyright, Food and drink designs, Healthcare, Vacation Parks, Technology Information, and litigation of trademarks, designs, and other types of protected intellectual property.
6. Brandsmiths: (IP Firm)
IP Expert Team: Team Brandsmiths
Address: Old Pump House, 19 Hooper Street, London, England
Contact Details: +020 8038 4975
Google Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Star, 11 reviews
Website: www.brandsmiths.co.uk
The leading law firm for intellectual property nowadays is Brandsmiths. They have collaborated with some of the world’s most intriguing companies and businesspeople. They are entrepreneurial, devoted, and adaptable.
They were established in 2014 and had offices in London and Manchester. They bring together critical legal experience, business savvy, and strategic thinking. They are dealmakers, facilitators, consultants, and experts.
Area of Expertise: IP, Copyright, Healthcare, Technology Information, litigation of trademarks, designs.
7. AA Thronton: (IP Attorney Firm)
IP Expert: Sarah Darby
Address: 15 Old Bailey London, UK
Contact Details: +44 (0) 20 7405 4044
Google Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Star, 7 reviews
Website: www.aathornton.com
Leading intellectual property experts at AA Thornton, with offices in London and Alicante, include UK Chartered and European Patent Attorneys, Trade Mark Attorneys, and IP Solicitors. Alfred Augustus Thornton, a former president of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), established AA Thornton in 1911 with the belief that no two clients are the same and that exceptional personalized care is the key to success.
Area of Expertise: They offer a wide variety of IP services. These are constructed to assure complete national and international protection and encompass every aspect of patent, trademark, and design law. They also have an internal legal team and offer a comprehensive domain name solution that includes both usage and registration.
8. Irwin Mitchell LLP
IP Expert: Sarah Birkbeck
Address: Belmont House, Station Way, Crawley RH10 1JA, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 (0)129 374 2748
Google Rating: 4.1 Out of 5 Star, 192 Reviews
Website: www.irwinmitchell.com
IP and IT dispute resolution are Sarah’s areas of expertise. She has extensive experience in business litigation and specializes in resolving cases involving the misuse of private information and reputation management difficulties. She frequently gives clients customized in-house training and talks at in-house Counsel events about IP exploitation, reputation management, and enforcement.
Area of Expertise: Copyright, Defamation & Reputation Management, Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Design Rights, Trade Marks, Image Rights, Trade Secrets, Patents, etc.
9. TROZERS: (Law Firm)
IP Expert: Jill Headford
Address: Exeter, Devon, UK
Contact details: 01392 667688
Google Rating: 4.0 Out of 5 Stars, 37 reviews
Website: www.tozers.co.uk/
Jill is a member of the Property Litigation Association, a Commercial Dispute Resolution Partner, and a skilled Court and Tribunal Advocate who focuses on settling conflicts.
Jill is an expert in conflict resolution and a part of the Property Litigation Association. She obtained legal representation in 1990.
Area of Expertise: Rural Property & Countryside Matters, Intellectual Property (IP) protection, and Litigation.
10. Clarke Willmott LLP: (IP Firm)
IP Expert: Andrew Stone
Address: 2nd floor, 19 Spring Garden, Manchester, UK
Contact details: 0345 209 1861
Trustpilot Rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars, 38 reviews
Website: www.clarkewillmott.com
In the intellectual property team, Andrew is a Partner focusing on brand protection.
Many facets of contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law fall under Andrew’s area of competence. In connection with local and international conflicts, he has represented several renowned enterprises worldwide.
In February 2009, Andrew received his certification concentrating only on intellectual property issues. In 2010, Andrew joined Clarke Willmott.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Group includes Andrew. Additionally, Andrew has co-authored pieces on intellectual property law that have appeared in scholarly publications.
Area of Expertise: Trademarks, Copyright, Design right, and Patent litigation.
Conclusion:
The intellectual property class includes intangible products of human creation (IP) which have become increasingly prevalent in the digital world. Different countries recognize several forms of intellectual property to varying degrees and as a business owner, you need to have access to legal advice whenever required to avoid legal disputes, and fines and communicate in a crisis with the right professionals. Hopefully, this UK IP lawyer list will help you with finding the IP lawyer right for you and your legal needs so that you can continue to focus on your business while legal experts manage your legal issues professionally.
If you want us to add a suggestion here based on your experience, please get in touch with us!
